ABV 40%
A light blend, acceptable for sipping but nothing incredible. Missing some bass notes.
Joel Harrison
Ballantine's
Brand
21 Years Old Signature Oak Edition
Expression
Blended
Type
21
Age (Years)
2016
Year of Bottling
40%
ABV
Scotland
Region/Country
Standard (Distillery or blended)
Bottling Type
Taster
Nose: Very closed with little going on. Vanilla grain notes lead the charge with some wood spices behind it, lychee and pineapple juice also appear. Oddly unbalanced.
Palate: Quite thin, the pineapple and lychee, a hint of coal dust, some angel cake and almond. The integration of the different flavours works, but it is a little weak.\n
Finish: Lemon zest, sponge cake and hints of citrus fruits. \n
Comment: A light blend, acceptable for sipping but nothing incredible. Missing some bass notes.
Score: 8.1
Taster
Nose: Plenty of evocative and uber sweet barley and honey. Showing some maturity with lovely, tropical melon, greengage and citrus. A gentle, crisp grain note adds balance.
Palate: Full with more creamy oak, followed by succulent barley, honey and tropical fruit – melon, peach and apricot. The grain just pops its head through the layers of malt.
Finish: Long, balanced and exceptionally juicy with lingering honey, oak and grain.
Comment: An exquisite blend with what appears to be quite a high malt content and some lovely age.
Score: 9
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